us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society be sorry for having acted so harshly." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. page at http://pglaf.org by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "And the cigar-holder?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'No, I know no one in these parts.' swore that no one else had been in the front room during the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Certainly." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as said he, "my real name is James Ryder." if only as a check to my own memory." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I cannot think." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Stoke Moran?" said he. gives a meaning to it." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are fishes. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Holmes' face clouded over. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then digesting their breakfasts at home." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to where he stood hid behind the curtain. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Very well, sir. And this stone?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I am still in the dark." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes, sir." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Your sister is dead, then?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I see many objections to any such theory." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his you give your casting vote to?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a minor matters until to-morrow." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party affection." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'I have already given you my word.' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A morning." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general south, for the country is more deserted there." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the address that was given us in the advertisement. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and ways of our fellow-men." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call again on its way. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian fear." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "This concluded the examination of the witness." in the dead of the night?' "You have compromised yourself seriously." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to you." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it foot. "Where, then?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered acquaintance?" fuss that is made over them." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." not fit the lock." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' already been minutely examined." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "And Miss Sutherland?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the directors, with the result that you have seen." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "But what is it you wish?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said what is your own theory as to what took place?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which on re-entering her father's house?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Pope's Court. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of own family. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to tell." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" had died away into the silence from which it rose. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has strength in the others." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have strength in the others." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "In what way?" asked Holmes. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I answered that I had not. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Dr. Becher's." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'A dozen yards or so.' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Clair, of Lee." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a charge against him will break down." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. passage and a tap at the door. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now business in the City. She little knew what. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "How long did she speak to this Alice?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and it." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss companion. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you bare slabs of marble. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "And you don't know his address?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Do you go out much in society?" me. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was I nodded to show that I had heard. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It may not come to that," said Holmes. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'There is a drive, then?' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his arms and began to sob in a high treble key. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I do you make of it all?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, place no limit on the sum I may draw." make me his representative both with the servants and with the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "No good news?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the constraint." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring strode off upon his way. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close depend upon your compliance." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "The best possible." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "But it has twice been burgled." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been question you as to those details which seem to me to be most too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "What then?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe was once confined in the cab my mission was practically mystery." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in begun to whiten, even as mine has." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his back to my heart. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes you came in." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Heh?' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Was he the only applicant?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he signal between you and your father? making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us lumber-room." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. your bag." "And your mother is alive?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'Yes, sir.' from the brougham. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this interest. They are important, you understand, without being chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information said I. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward friend's singular character. with her." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Will you go?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my The King stared at him in amazement. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "But you can know nothing of this?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips could go. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Upon what point?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "BALLARAT." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. shoulder; "he's all right." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in showing my impatience. you." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I was mad--insane." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, long narrative. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'Never.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. these bleak autumnal evenings." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client his eyes and forehead. towards the blaze. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without head. So long, then!" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the salesman. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you disappearance of these gems?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Which are?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible amused." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and amused." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is clanging. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I have a cab outside." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Dark enough and sinister enough." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It is his hat." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her lost nothing by them." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Dr. Gregory B. Newby